Hurdles cleared for Pakistan Hockey team's participation in Hockey World Cup

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Pakistan Hockey players have been issued visas by the Indian High Commission to travel to the country and also their financial problems too seems to have been solved as they have managed to clinch a sponsorship. The Hockey World Cup begins in India with the first match to be played on November 28.

The Pakistan team will travel to India to take part in the Hockey World Cup scheduled to be held at the refurbished Kalinga Stadium in Odisha from November 28th. Earlier there were doubts being raised about the Pakistan team’s participation for a couple of reasons like the financial crunch and visa issues due to cold political relations between the two Asian giants.

Now the road to Odisha for the Pakistani team looks clear as the Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Shahbaz Ahmed confirmed that the problems facing their participation in the tournament has been solved and they are looking forward to do well at the World Cup. But he also added that since new head coach Tauqeer Dar and assistant coach Danish Kaleem had applied for their visas a bit late they are yet to receive the same.

“Their applications were submitted a bit late because they joined the team recently but the Indian High Commission has said they will be issued visas soon,” he said.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation has been facing a financial crunch and their loan application to the Pakistan Cricket Board was also rejected as they already had pending dues with the Cricket Board. But with the Pakistani team finding a new sponsor everything looks hunky-dory now.

“The money will help us clear outstanding dues and also pay in advance daily allowances of the players and officials. We have also now purchased air tickets and will pay in advance for the accommodation,” he said.

Shahbaz also said that now the players and the official should now be able to direct their concentration towards the World Cup and try to surprise one and all by their performance.

“The players and officials should now be able to focus completely on the World Cup and hopefully surprise many of us,” the former Pakistan captain added. 

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